YOUTH MINISTER URGES YOUNG BUSINESSWOMEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT OPPORTUNITIES
On 29th July 29 2025, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo called on young women entrepreneurs across Ghana to take full advantage of the numerous government initiatives aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address at the Young Women’s Business Summit held at the British Council in Accra, Hon. Opare Addo commended the organizers and their partners for creating a platform dedicated to empowering young women in business. The summit, themed “Advancing Inclusive Business for Young Women Entrepreneurs,” brought together aspiring and established businesswomen, policymakers, investors, and development partners for a day of dialogue, learning, and networking.
In his address, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building an enabling environment that supports young entrepreneurs, with a special focus on the unique challenges faced by women in business. He highlighted several flagship government programs currently available to the youth and urged participants to explore and take advantage of them.
“There are many opportunities out there from the Adwumawura Programme, the National Apprenticeship Programme, and the One Million Coders Programme, to our various agribusiness initiatives. These are not just ideas on paper. They are real, active programs that can change lives if accessed and utilized properly,” the Minister emphasized.
He further called on all stakeholders including government institutions, policymakers, civil society, and development agencies to be intentional and collaborative in their efforts to level the playing field for young women in business.
“Empowering young women is not just a social good; it is an economic imperative. When we invest in women, we invest in families, communities, and the future of our nation,” Hon. Opare Addo stated.
The Minister’s remarks were met with enthusiasm by attendees, many of whom shared their own entrepreneurial journeys and the barriers they face from limited access to capital and training, to systemic gender biases in the business ecosystem.
Organizers of the summit echoed the Minister’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of policy support, mentorship, and accessible financing to sustain the momentum of young women-led enterprises.
The event concluded with breakout sessions and panel discussions featuring successful women entrepreneurs and experts in finance, digital marketing, and social enterprise. Many participants left the summit inspired and better informed about the tools and support systems available to them.
As Ghana continues to invest in its youthful population, particularly in the wake of economic recovery efforts, initiatives like the Young Women’s Business Summit are becoming increasingly crucial in bridging the gap between policy and practical empowerment.
